Music as I commute, Part 2

A tube train clatters away, wheels screeching and echoing down the tunnels.  Passengers murmur as they talk and their shoes shuffle on the tiled floors as they make their ways to the exits.  The escalators whirr and heave as they carry people to the surface and yet at some lull in this cacophony and background noise I hear some music playing out.

Walking to and from platforms on the London underground you will come across designated, sponsored,  busking areas.  These are painted areas at 39 sites across 25 stations, where authorised musicians can perform for passengers as they use the network. The areas are out of the way of main thoroughfares to prevent congestion and the musicians have to audition and be licensed for their spots to ensure a certain quality of music.

In the past anyone would walk up, strum away at a guitar or bash a bongo and expect money, however badly they played.  They were forever being chased away by tube staff and the ‘music’ on offer left plenty to be desired.  I admit I had my favourites, like the man who played tambourine whilst wearing a rabbit costume, or the dreadlocked man feverishly banging on his bongos at various stations across the network, but overall the quality was quite poor.  Then this initiative was introduced and suddenly we had authorised musicians, providing music of a decent standard to brighten our journeys home and add atmosphere to what would otherwise be drab surroundings.

Looking down one of the tube escalators.

There is something unique and enchanting about walking down a long connecting tunnel and hearing music echo down to you from up ahead.  Whether it be a traditional guitar busker, violin player, opera singer or some other performer, you can’t beat seeing a skilled musician creating music.  This remains true even if you are only seeing them in passing and regardless of the setting.  I have even stopped to watch some especially adept performers and when you’re not in a rush to reach a destination it is well worth taking a few moments to watch some of these artists perform.

With over 3.5 million tube users every day, there is a large enough audience to appreciate the music on offer and who want these live acts on the stations as they move through them.  It gives great exposure to these performers as they are starting out and more established artists have also performed in the tunnels to unsuspecting passengers.  These include names such as The Libertines, Badly Drawn Boy and Seasick Steve.

London is a vibrant, bustling, energetic city and the music provided on the underground network is just another aspect which adds to the overall charm and atmosphere.  With over 100,000 hours of music performed each year, across a wide range of styles, there is plenty to interest and entertain most travellers; and when some of us have to use the network day in and day out, it gives a welcome break to the journey and adds a bright spot amidst the enclosing tunnels that surround us. I say “long may it continue” and if you are ever in London, be sure to check out one of the performers if you happen to stumble across them.  I can’t promise you a tambourine playing rabbit, but it should be something worth watching anyway.